Sound-reproducing machine.



W. C. WOLFE.

scum) BEPEODUCING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 191.1.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Gum-n W. C. WOLFE.

SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1911.

1,131,454. Patented Mar. 9, 19151 2 SHEETS SHEET 2.

To all whom it concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. lVonrn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lilly, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-ReproducingMachines; and I do hereby declare the/following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it apprtains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters or figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in sound reproducing machines.

The object of my present improvements is to provide a simple andeconomical arrangement of parts for using either disk or cylindricalrecords.

A further object of the invention is to provide special means foroperating the mandrel, whereby the latter may be revolved to reproducefrom standard records. or the lat-- eral transverse movement of saidmandrel may be retarded to reproduce records which require a greaternumber of revolutions per inch of its transverse movement than thatrequired in playing the standard.

The invention also relates to an improved means for supporting one endof the mandrelshaft to re ieve the strain, due to the weight of theI'Et'alt'l when the opposite end of said. shaft is released to permit itto re volve, and which may be disengaged from the shaft when it isdesired to reproduce from records-z of unusual length.

the invention also comprehends improvements in the various details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafterdescribed and particularly pointed out in the claims. y

In the drawings: Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of myimproved machine. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line :c-.r,Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse section on the line y-y, Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is a-detail plan view of the free end of the sound conveyor. Fig.5 is a transverse section on the line 55, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detailperspective view of parts of the operating mechanism. the cylinderrecord mandrel, and the turntable for a disk record. Fig. 7 is a detailsection on the line aa, Fig. 1, illustrating the nut out ofengagementwith the smam w m mandrel screw. Fig. '8 is a similar view butillustrating the nut in engagement with the screw to laterally feed themandrel. Fig. 9 IS a detail elevation of an electric governor. Fig. 10is a transverse section of the same.

The same numerals refer to like parts in all the figures.

1 indicates a casing in which is mounted a spring motor 2, including apower-shaft 3, provided with two grooved pulleys 4 and 5. Also supportedin the casing is an electric motor6, including a shaft 7, provided atone end with a governor 8, and at its opposite end with a pinion 9. Thepinion 9, meshes with a gear wheel 10, mounted on a countershaft 11,which has secured to one end pulleys 12 and 1.3. On the upper surface ofthe casing 1, is a standard 11, in which is mounted a longitudinallydisposed screw threaded shaft 15. The opposite end of this shaft isordinarily supported in a standard 16, pivoted to ears on the casing.Depending-from one side of the standard 16, is a lug 17, whichcooperates with a spring 18, formed time WOLFE, Y. enemies.

H 'Patented Mar, 9,19,15.' .I -ia pt-icaii-oii medley-8.1911;Seria1No'.6'37,5'i5: 1

with a depression l9,'in which the lugseats to hold .he standard 111vertical position to receive the end of the shaft 15. Fitting in athreaded opening in the end of the shaft 15, mounted in the standard 11, is'a screw 20, on which is a threaded nut .21, adapted to move on thescrew between the head of the latter, and the face of the standard andrigidly secused to the shaft 15, just inside the standard 14, is a gearwheel 15*. The object of this construction is to securely hold the shaftSlidably and loosely mounted on the sleeve 22, is a mandrel sleeve 27,formed with a flange "28, at one end and threadedat its opposite end, asat 29. Fitting against the flange 28, is a milled collar 30, held inplace bva collar 31, rigidly mounted on the mandrel-isleeve 27.Projecting from the milled collar 30, is'a lug 32, fitting in an openingin the collar 31. This lug is designed to be oscillated in the plane ofthe end of a longitudinally disposed flat spring 33, secured to themandrel sleeve 27, and has secured to it a depending nut 34, threaded onits under surface to engage the threaded shaft 15. The free end of theflat spring is disposed at an angle to form a cam surface-for the lug32, to engage, whereby to elevate the nut from the threads of the shaft15. Screwed or otherwise fastened to the inside of the mandrel sleeve27, is a guide block 27, which fits in the slot 23, to prevent saidmandrel sleeve turning on the sleeve 22. When the milled collar 30, isturned to disengage the lug 32, from the flat spring, it is held inposition by a spring detent 35, secured on the collar 31. A mandrel 36,is supported at one end on the collar 31,and at its opposite end it isthreaded and engages the threads 29, on the mandrel sleeve 27, as shownin Fig. 1. If however, one of the large concert records is to bereproduced the mandrel 36, is removed, and one of large diameter issubstituted, as shown in dotted lines at 37, in Fig. 1. In the standard14, is a screw 38, on which is eccentrically mounted two pinions 39 and40, one being larger in diameter than the other, and designed to bebrought into meshing relation with the gears 15*, and 24, when the screw38, is turned. On the casing is mounted a vertical standard 42, formedwith a central opening, and within said casing is a bracket 43, formedwith bearings 44, in alinement with the opening in the standard 42.Mounted in these hearings is a vertical shaft 45 provided with a groovedpulley 46, and a fast pulley 46 substantially in the plane of the springmotor shaft 3, and a grooved pulley 47, fast on the shaft and a loosepulley 47*, about in theplane of the power shaft 11, of the electricmotor. At the upper end of the vertical shaft is a turn table 48, toreceive flat disk records. The vertical shaft 45 and the sleeve 22 maybe revolved either by the spring motor, or by the electric motor, at thepleasure of the operator. \Vhen operating with the spring motor, a belt49 passes around the grooved pulley l of the spring motor and thegrooved pulley 26, on the sleeve 22, which impart-s motion to the sleeve22, and a" belt 52, is passed around the rooved pulley .3, on the springmotor and around the pulley 46, on the vertical shaft 45, to revolve theturntable alternately with the sleeve 22; belt tighteners 51, beingmounted on the spring motor frame to take up the slack, as shown in Fig.The belt tigliteners are each connected with an operating rod 51*, sothat by moving same up or down the belt may be shifted from the fast andloose pulleys 46 and 46* or the fast or loose pulleys 47-47. If,however, it be desired to operate the turntable and the mandrel by meansof the electric motor. a belt 53, is passed around.

the grooved pulley 12, on the shaft 11, and the pulley 26, to revolvethe sleeve 22, and a belt 54, is passed around the grooved pulley 26, torevolve the sleeve 22, and a belt 54, is passed around the groovedpulley 13, on the motor shaft and the grooved pulley- 47, on thevertical shaft 45. By this construction it is obvious that either motoris adapted to be used for the operation of the' machine, whichever isthe most convenient. Furthermore, by reference to the drawings, it willbe seen that I dispense entirely with the use of gears for transmittingdirect power from the motor to the mandrel and turn table, and employbelts which greatly reduces the noise and avoids confusion of sound inthe reproducing of a selection.

On the rear of the casing is adjustably mounted a standard 60, providedwith a vertical opening 61, to accommodate a spring 62, and a headed pinor journal 63, supported on said spring. The diameter of thev head ofthe pin 63, approximates the diam: eter of the opening 61, so that thesaid pin may be freely rocked in any direction,-and at its upper enditengages an opening 64, formed on a lug in the neck of a sound conveyer65. The free end of the neck 65, fits into an opening 66, in the head67, of the standard 60. Projecting from diametrically opposed sides ofthe vertical portion of the sound conveyer are trunnions, 68, which bearagainst the under side'of the head 67, and for form a pivot on which thesound conveyer vertically rocks,due to irregularities in a record.Formed in the upper part of the head 67, is an overhanging flange 69,open at its front edge to receive the flanged end 70, of an amplifier71, the front portion of the flange 70, being engaged by a pin 72, tohold the same in the groove formed under the flange 69, in the head 67.Between the standard 60, and the mandrel 36, and mounted on the top ofthe casing 1, is a standard 75, provided with an adjusting screw 76, andcooperating with the standard is an extensible arm 77, having atransverse upper end 78, formed with a series of depressions 79 and 80.The lower end of this extensible piece is formed with a slot 81, throughwhich a screw 76, passes, whereby to adjust the height of the level ofthe grooved piece 78, to form a suitable support for the sound conveyer,as will be presently described.

In operation, assuming what is known as a standard cylindrical record isto be played, the parts will be positioned as shown in Fig. 1. That is,the screw threaded shaft15, is held in fixed position by adjusting thenut 21, against the surface of the standard '14, and the screw 38, isadjusted to throw the gears 39 and 40, out of engagement with the gears15, and 24, so that power from .itwill also revolve the nut 21,0n thethreads A preveritbmding' of the parts and permit the mechanism tofreely move. If the sound box is one in'iwhich a slight oscillatingmovement is permitted independent of the sound con'veyer- 65, theextensible piece 77, will be elevated and the sound conveyerwill besupported in one of the depressions '19. However, if the sound box hasnooscillating movement and the latter must be imparted through the soundconveyer, the extensible piece will belowered and the construction ofthe headed pin 63, and the trunnions 68, will allow of all necessaryrocking motion to permit the stylus to be free to be moved in anydirection in traversing the record grooves. In thisconnection, 1t may bestated that if it be de sired at any time to elevate the stylus from therecord grooves when the machine is not in use, the sound conveyer issupported in the depressions 80, which are a trifle higher than the;depressions 79. If a record having a greater number of grooves per inchis to be reproduced, the mandrel must be revolved at the same speed, butits lateral movement will-be retarded. To accomplish this result, thescrew 38, is turned, which because of theeccentric mounting of the gears38-and 4.0, will'move the latter slightly toward the standard 14, and atthe same time elevate them and thereby bring them into mesh with thegears 15*, and 24. l/Vhen it is desired to perform this operation, thenut 31, is released to free the screw threaded shaft 15, to permit it toturn when the gears are inmesh, and the motor is started. The gears arerelatively proportioned, so that the speed of the mandrel will at alltimes be the same, and when the screw shaft is revolved it retards themovement of the nut 21, so that it travels about half the' distancetraveled when the screw shaft is stationary. Hence simple and effectivemeans are provided to play what is known as either a two or four minuterecord. If it be desired to use a very long record the hinged standard16, is thrown down that the end of the record may overhang the end ofthe mandrel.

The sound conveyer is so constructed that it will accommodate areproducer to be used with a flat disk record or a reproducer to be usedwith a cylindrical record. lVhen playing a disk record, the soundconveyer is swung around over the turntable, the, motor is started; inthe usual'manner, f

When using 1, 'ctric motor, it is of thei utmostimportance thatithespeed be con trolled, and I "therefore providefa special constructionfor this purpose. T e'govri or comprises a disk 80, secured on the shaft7, and provided with an annular fiangefilll Secured on the inside of theflange 8-1, are two flexible angular levers 82. Each level 82, is of anlar formation and the bent end thereof is m the form of an O-G curve,and a screw 83, passes through 1e bent end and a nut 84, clamps the undrside of the bent portion, said nut bearing against the disk to preventit turning. The inner end of each lever is provided with a weight 85,and a spring contact finger 86. The spring contacts are designed toengage with a sleeve 86, on the shaft 7, said sleeve being insulatedfrom the shaft as shown at 87. One of the wires to conduct the currentto the motor is connected to the sleeve 86, and the current passesthrough the disk from a wire 88, secured to the end of the shaft 7.\Vhen the speed of the motor exceeds the determinate number ofrevolutions, the weighted levers 85, are centrifugally thrown outwardly,and the spring contact fingers are disengaged from the sleeve 86, andthereby breaks the circuit. Obviously this construction will govern thespeed of the motor and maintain. uniformity in the operation of themachine.

What I claim is:

1. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a motor, athreaded shaft, a mandrel support mounted over the threaded shaft, amandrel on the mandrel support, a threaded adjustable nut between thethreaded shaft and the mandrel whereby to cause the latter to movelaterally, a connection between the motor and the mandrel support, gearson the threaded shaft and the mandrel support, shiftable ears forengaging the gears on the mandrel support and the threaded shaft, andmeans for holding the threaded shaft stationary when the shiftable gearsare out of engagement with the gears on the threaded shaft and themandrel support whereby when said gears are in mesh the" threaded shaft;and the mandrel port, and a locking device for holding the threadedshaft in fixed osition when the shiftable gears are out of engagementwiththe gears on the threaded shaft and the mandrel support.

3. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a motor, a screwthreaded shaft, a mandrel support mounted on said screw threaded shaft,a mandrel on the mandrel support, a connection between the man drelsupport and the motor to directly drive the mandrel, a shiftable nutbetween the mandrel and the threaded shaft, gears on the threaded shaftand the mandrel support, and shiftable gearing adapted to be broughtinto engagement with the gears on the threaded shaft and the mandrelsupport for retarding the lateral movement of the mandrel.

4. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a screw threadedshaft, a mandrel support, a mandrel mounted thereon, means for revolvingthe mandrel support alone, shiftable means for simultaneously revolvingthe threaded shaft with the mandrel support, and a nut interposedbetween the threaded shaft and the mandrel whereby the mandrel will movelaterally at a given speed when the mandrel support is rotated alone andsaid mandrel will move laterally at a less speed than the aforesaidgiven speed when the mandrel support and screw shaft rotate together.

5. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a revolvingmandrel support, a mandrel mounted thereon, a screw threaded shaft,means between the screw threaded shaft and the mandrel to cause thelatter to travel laterally on the support, and means for revolving thescrew threaded shaft to retard the lateral movement of the mandrel andmaintain the revolving speed of said mandrel, and means for revolvingthe mandrel support.

6. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a threaded shaft,adjustable means adapted to hold the threaded shaft stationary, a gearon the threaded shaft, a I""=.I1ClI'el. support including a slottedsleeve, a gear on the slotted sleeve, a mandrel on the mandrel support,a removable nut fitting in the slot and carried by the mandrel andengaging the threaded shaft, means for rotating the mandrel support, andshiftable gears adapted to mesh with the gears on the threaded shaft andthe mandrel support, whereby when the adjustable holding means isreleased andthe gears are in mesh the mandrel will be moved laterally atone speed and when the threaded shaft is held stationary and theshiftable gears are out of mesh the mandrel will be moved at a differentspeed.

7. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a threadedshaft, a support for the shaft, a threaded element ex tending from theend of the threaded shaft, a nut engag ng the threaded element to bindand hold the threaded shaft stationary in its support, a gear on thethreaded shaft, a mandrel support including a slotted sleeve surroundingthe threaded shaft, a mandrel mounted on the sleeve, a gear on thesleeve, a spring actuated nut connected to the mandrel and engaging inthe slot and the threaded shaft, means for holding the nut out ofengagement with the threaded shaft, means for rotating the sleeve, andtwo gears mounted eccentrically and adapted to be engaged with theaforesaid gears whenthe first mentioned nut is disengaged to change thespeed of the lateral movement of the mandrel.

8. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a threaded shaft,a mandrel support surrounding the threaded shaft, a mandrel mounted onthe mandrel support,

means for rotating the mandrel support,

and means including gears and an adjustable device for rotating thethreaded shaft simultaneously with the mandrel support to move themandrel laterally at a determinate speed or holding the threaded shaftstationary and rotating the mandrel support alone to change the speed ofthe lateral movement of the mandrel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM C. WOLFE.

\Vitnesses:

W. N. Woooson, J1\'o. Imam.

